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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL INFO ON VINYL WRAPS

What is the process of vehicle wrapping?

Vehicle wrapping refers to completely or partly covering your car’s original paint with vinyl material. It can change the look of the vehicle, personalizing it for commercial or personal aesthetic purposes, and making a unique statement while protecting the paint underneath. We are here to make your dreams and ideas reality!

At Bayou Graphics, once we have created a concept or design for you, we will manage the logistics to make sure that you have the best materials possible for your job. With vinyl and installation specialists, we work tirelessly to find the best solutions for your project and execute it with precision and care you will not find anywhere else.
From cleaning the exterior of your vehicle with alcohol to remove imperfections and dirt, to precise application of the wrap, Bayou Graphics takes the utmost pride in doing everything correctly to ensure excellent results. We ensure that every panel of material adheres to the vehicle’s body without bubbles or creases, making light work of curves and recesses, corners and angles, from simple to complex, and guaranteeing flawless results from expert minds and hands.

What’s the difference between a wrap and paint?

Wraps are made of vinyl that envelops the exterior of the vehicle and covers the existing paint, protecting your vehicle’s original paint. Repainting your vehicle can be time consuming and damaging to the original paint, and consist of direct application of primer, paint, and clear coat to the body of your vehicle. The difference is clear: vinyl wraps are more cost-effective, convenient, and because they are reversible, they do not damage your vehicle’s resale value.

Paints are available in many colors, but vinyl comes in different colors, textures, finishes, and sheens, including exotic shades, chrome, matte, satin, brushed, and metallic. We can even use reflective, and color-flip and chameleon wrap materials! Not custom enough? We can also print any graphics or colors to make every single wrap unique. Whatever idea you have, you can work with our specialized designers to make your dream a reality!

Will a wrap damage my car?

Vinyl wrap materials are specifically designed to be non-damaging to the vehicle’s original paint. In fact, it provides a protective layer against potential harm from minor scratches, UV rays, and contaminants, helping preserve your car’s condition. A car wrap can contribute to maintaining or enhancing your car’s value. The vinyl layer not only enables aesthetic customization but also protects the original paint from potential damage, leading to reduced wear and tear – a well-maintained wrap could potentially increase the vehicle’s resale value.

One of the most attractive features of vehicle wrapping is its reversibility. If maintained properly, the wrap can be removed without causing damage to the original paint. We suggest that removing a vehicle wrap is best performed by professionals to prevent any potential damage, but we can do that too! We will do all the hard work to keep your paint in showroom condition.

How long does it take to wrap a vehicle?

Firstly, the time it takes to wrap a car depends on the size and complexity of the vehicle and design. For most cars, the process can take anywhere from 1-5 days when done by specialized and certified installers. It’s important to remember that for a long-lasting and high-quality wrap, rushing the process is not recommended. Your Bayou Graphics sales rep can review the process with you, so you have an accurate timeline that works for your business and gets your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible.

How long does a car wrap last?

For a quality wrap, with premium materials and expert installation, the lifespan of a vinyl wrap on a car can vary greatly, depending on upkeep practices. In general, high-quality wraps from reputable brands like 3M, Avery, or Arlon vinyl can last anywhere from 5 to 7 years when properly maintained, cleaned often, spray waxed, and kept in a covered parking space. Properly cared for wraps can last much longer than the manufacturer’s warranty. Bayou Graphics uses top quality material to ensure you get the longest possible service life out of your vehicle wrap.

How do you clean vehicle wrap?

Maintaining cleanliness is part of the upkeep for a car with vinyl wrap. Washing is necessary for any car, but gentle methods like hand washing are suggested for vinyl materials. Don’t ever use abrasive brushes, scrubbers, cleaners or chemicals on a vinyl wrap, rather, we suggest microfiber rags or soft sponges with dish soap or other non-corroding soaps to keep your wrap looking its best. To keep glossy vinyl wraps shiny and new, we also suggest using spray-on wax as a sealant, to help withstand dust and dirt from regular exposure or driving and make it easier to clean later. Harsh chemicals could potentially degrade the finish of the vinyl, and abrasive brushes or applicators may damage the protective surface that keeps the integrity of the vinyl.

What do I need to look out for before wrapping a vehicle?

#1. Paint of your vehicle

Make sure you know or find-out about whether your car has original OEM paint on it or if it was repainted. If the paint is very old, damaged or has been fixed (patched) there is a chance that the vinyl will pull the clear-coat and/or paint off when removed. If the car was repainted with low quality, inexpensive method the chances are higher that the paint will be pulled off when removing vinyl, especially if removed incorrectly.

#2. Defects, damage, stone chips, scratches on paint

Vinyl can only hide surface scratches and very small rock chips as it is thin and acts like a “skin” on top of your vehicle. The style of car wrap and the color also affect how it hides or shows defects. Vinyl wraps that have a texture or pattern will hide things the best way, but they are more expensive – Carbon Fiber wrap would be one example.

Make sure that you also clean off dried/caked on dirt from the car. Sometimes it is hard to see until you put the vinyl on, and it protrudes like a bump from under the film. Before vinyl wrapping a section of your car, drag your hand across it to feel for any protrusions that you will have to get rid of for a nice unblemished finish. We recommend clay barring for the smoothest best surface preparation.

#3 Rust

Rust that has eaten through the paint has to be fixed first, as the vinyl wrap will not stick to rust. It is also recommended to fix any rusted areas that are bubbling up under the paint, because it will look the same once the car is wrapped with vinyl film and won’t stop it from continuing to rust. Rust will continue to spread and eat away at your car if it is not gotten rid of, whether you wrap it in vinyl or not.

When rusted areas are patched it is best to add a layer of paint or clear coat as the vinyl will stick to it better than to filler or primer. Wait at least a few days (best to wait a week) for the paint to off-gas, to avoid bubbling of the vinyl from the off-gassing of the freshly painted surface.

Once your car is wrapped in vinyl and you have no rust under it, it will keep it safe from surface rust and stone chips, scratches that could cause rusting from the outside.

What are the benefits of a car wrap?

  1. Vinyl wraps protect your OEM paint and are 100% removable. When you remove it, your paint is in the same condition as on the day it was wrapped. A repainted vehicle normally decreases the value of your vehicle due to concerns over possible previous accident(s).
  2. You can restore the vehicle to its original color by removing the wrap.
  3. Warranties and/or lease agreements are still valid. Painting can void warranties and is not a lease option.
  4. Cost for a vinyl vehicle wrap is considerably less (nearly half) than a comparable paint job.
  5. Many of the styles cannot be reproduced by paint.
  6. Vinyl car wraps wear as well as, or better than paint – when properly cared for. Think of it like a skin for your laptop or a silicon cover for your phone. The vinyl can take a beating protecting the vehicle’s paint underneath.
  7. Vinyl car wraps come in many colors and can have matte, semi-gloss, gloss, brushed steel, carbon fiber, matte metallic, chrome and even leather-like finishes.
  8. Expensive, color-matching paint fees are unnecessary for scratches or accident vehicles; just re-wrap the section that needs repair.
  9. It’s difficult to tell it’s not paint.
  10. You don’t have to wrap your entire car; you can just do your hood, roof, mirrors, stripes, etc.
  11. Matte-paint jobs can be brittle and chip easily, while vinyl are more durable and harder to scratch. If repairs are needed, the part that was damaged can be easily replaced, providing a perfect match.
  12. Hides scratches, small chips and “freshens” the look of your vehicle.

What will vinyl wraps stick to?

The question is what will vinyl NOT stick to. Vinyl adheres nicely to any painted surface; however it has to be clean and rust free. Vinyl wraps WILL NOT stick to ABS Plastic, Rust, Waxed Paint, or anything that is wet or moist. If you have any questions call your Bayou Graphics sales rep and he or she can give you a definitive answer and perhaps offer an alternative solution.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SPECIFIC FAQ

I need help designing a wrap for my business, can you help me?

Yes! Bayou Graphics has a staff of professional designers- and working with a professional graphic designer who has experience with thousands of vehicle wraps is perhaps the most valuable part of what we offer our clients. Your designer will contact you as you begin the project to get an idea of what you are looking for (colors, fonts, websites, images, QR codes, motto, contact information) and then begin a proofing process, meaning you will work with the designer to develop a concept that you like.

What happens after I approve the design?

Your design will be printed at our 8,000 square foot production facility using HP’s latest large format printing technology. This typically happens 1-2 days after design approval. You will be scheduled for an installation normally within 1-5 days after your design is printed.

Can you wrap things that are not vehicles?

Yes! We wrap containers, buses, tanks, exterior walls, storefronts, and essentially any object that we can stick vinyl to. Bayou Graphics has several industrial customers for whom we have wrapped cranes, tanks, containers, and large pieces of construction equipment!

I am using a leased vehicle; can I still have it wrapped?

By all means! Bayou Graphics services several large nationwide clients who have lease agreements (sometimes through companies like Ryder and Penske) and these clients appreciate the added benefit of the wrap protecting their paint. Lease agreements and warranties remain valid with a vehicle wrap, unlike a paint job that can void warranties and is a no-no with a leased vehicle. Vinyl wraps protect your OEM paint and are 100% removable. When you remove it, your paint is in the same condition as on the day it was wrapped. if you use a reputable wrap shop that uses name brand material, your vinyl wrap will come off without any damage to the vehicle. You can restore the vehicle to its original color by removing the wrap.

How much do vehicle wraps cost?

Bayou Graphics knows that vehicle wraps are unique to each application, and thus the cost can vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle. Your sales rep can talk you through this process and give you prices over the phone and follow up quickly with a formal, written quote. These prices can depend on the following:

  • Size of the vehicle
  • Vehicle model (cars with more curves, angles, and indentations are more difficult to work with)
  • Amount of vinyl needed for the project
  • Whether there are old graphics to remove on the vehicle
  • Location of the wrap- we work across the United States, but travel fees apply to some locations and projects.

While a basic decal package can start as low as $499, a fully wrapped vehicle with a custom design and imagery can exceed the $6000 mark. With that said, the industry average for a full vehicle wrap is between $4,200 – $7,500. Please call or email us and tell us about your project so we can recommend the most cost-effective ways to complete your wrap without compromising your goals.

Why are wraps the most cost-effective form of advertising?

Bayou Graphics has a long history of working with other businesses to help them build their brand. Successful businesses know that vehicle wraps are an important part of building credibility and uniform branding for their business. It’s also one of the most cost-effective methods of brand advertising, with an unbelievably low average cost per impression (CPI) of just 15¢ over the lifespan of the wrap. This is because your business vehicle can be seen by anywhere from 5000 to 20,000 people per day over the 5-7 year life of your wrap– it is nonstop advertising for your business that literally be seen millions of times! You cannot do this with Radio or TV or print advertising. We have not had any complaints from our clients about people muting or changing the channel on their wrap or throwing it away with the rest of the junk mail.

Can you wrap the windows?

Yes, Bayou Graphics uses a special perforated vinyl on the rear windows. This vinyl allows you to be able to see out the windows while still maintaining the look of the wrap. Using the defrosters will not damage the window wrap.

What if I need to change the information on my wrap after installation?

This is not a problem, but you need to let the designer at Bayou Graphics know at the outset of the project, there are some things a designer can do to position this information in such a way that the cost of future changes will be minimized.

What type of wrap options are there for my vehicle?

Vehicle wraps at Bayou Graphics can be classified into four major categories:

  • Lettering package: Solid cut letters and numbers are placed on the sides and back of the vehicle. They often include a company name, slogan, and contact information.
  • Spot Decals: Spot decals are like basic decals, only they’re digitally printed images and are significantly larger and can include more information and placements on the vehicle, such as the hood and windows.
  • 1/2 Wrap: A half wrap commonly consists of a hood logo, door logos, the entire rear, and a about ¼ of the sides of the vehicle, covering approximately 50% of the vehicle’s surface.
  • 3/4 Wrap: A ¾ wrap commonly consists of a hood logo, door logos, the entire rear, and most of the sides of the vehicle, covering approximately 75% of the vehicle’s surface.
  • Full Wrap: A full wrap covers every painted surface of the vehicle, and any windows if necessary. On larger vehicles, a full wrap does not typically cover the roof, as this is generally not visible.

Your Bayou Graphics sales rep can show you examples of each and make sure that your project quotation meets both your budget and your goals.

Will spot graphics or letters cause any fading on my vehicle? Will I see “ghosting” of the text when I remove the graphics?

When you see ghosting on vehicles, this isn’t because the vinyl damaged the surface. In fact, it is the opposite. The paint under the vinyl stayed the same as when the graphics were installed. The paint around the graphics is what has weathered and faded.
Paint technology has come a long way in the past decade and most vehicle paint surfaces do not fade as rapidly as they had in the past. Which is a good thing when you are thinking about vehicle graphics.

There is no guarantee that your vehicle surface won’t weather around graphics revealing slight ghosting when you remove the graphics. It depends on many different factors such as how vehicle age, original base color, whether it is gloss or metallic and how long you decide to leave your graphics on the vehicle and how you look after your vehicle just to name a few. A good professional and quality buff and polish usually does the trick, though.

Can A Vehicle Wrap Be Removed?

Yes! The vinyl can be removed. All you need is a heat gun, cleaning chemicals, experience, and patience. If the wrap is less than 5 years old, it is usually a heat and remove process. It gets more difficult after 5 years when you have vinyl that is discolored and cracked, then it becomes tedious work, but Bayou Graphics can help with this. Removing an old wrap is a difficult part of the business that nobody wants to do but a professional takes the good with the bad and makes it happen. If the car wrap has been on the vehicle for more than 5 years then there is a chance that the vinyl may leave glue residue on the vehicle after it is removed, therefore, we recommend seeking professional help to ensure there is no paint damage.

Can You Polish the Vehicle Wrap?

Yes, you can polish vinyl wrap but not in the usual way. You can use vinyl wrap-specific polish to give your wrap the proper shine it needs. If possible, choose a brand-specific polish to match the brand of your wrap like a 3M polish for your 3M wrap. If you’re not sure of your brand, you can always check the installation paperwork or call the company that installed your wrap. Bayou Graphics offers these services to our clients and can give you the best option for your budget and vehicle.

Can Vinyl Wrap Stick to Wood?

This may seem like a silly question but many rear doors on large trucks and trailers are made of wood. Vinyl wrap is primarily designed for smooth, non-porous surfaces like vehicles. While it can adhere to some types of wood, the adhesion might not be as strong or long-lasting as on other surfaces because sometimes the wood absorbs moisture. It’s best to consult with a professional to determine if vinyl wrap is suitable for your specific wood application. Bayou Graphics in the past painted sections of these doors with a primer before wrapping when needed, so we can take a look at your back door to see if we need to repair, replace, paint, or wrap!

Can you wrap the door handles and mirrors?

Yes, but this is typically an extra charge. Door handles can be wrapped but we do not warranty them because the constant friction and wear and tear of daily use are beyond the limits of what the vinyl’s adhesive can withstand. In addition, if the mirrors and door handles are ABS plastic, the vinyl will not stick to the surface, and they cannot be wrapped.

Can Vinyl Wrap Go Through a Carwash?

Yes, most vinyl wraps are carwash safe. However, it’s essential to use touchless or brushless carwash systems to prevent potential damage to the edges of the vinyl. Hand washing is the gentlest method and is recommended for preserving the wrap’s appearance. It is not recommended, however, that you use a pressure washer type hose on your vehicle unless you are more than 6 feet away and have the nozzle on a wide setting.

Can Vinyl Wrap Be Ceramic Coated?

Yes, vinyl wraps can be ceramic coated. Ceramic coating can enhance the appearance and protection of the vinyl wrap, making it even more durable and easier to clean. Bayou Graphics offers ceramic coating on most vehicles at reasonable prices, as your sales rep about these options!

Can Car Wraps Be Repaired?

Yes, car wraps can be repaired if they sustain minor damage, such as small tears or scratches. A professional with experience in car wrap repair can often patch or replace the damaged section, maintaining the overall appearance of the wrap. More extensive damage may require a larger repair or, in some cases, a full replacement of the wrap. Bayou Graphics works with local insurance companies and large fleets to ensure repairs are done quickly and seamlessly and the vehicle is back out on the road as quickly as possible.

COMMERCIAL SIGNAGE SPECIFIC FAQ

What type of walls can be wrapped?

Any interior surface can be wrapped – drywall, brick, block, tile, glass, ceiling tile. The applications and possibilities for interior graphics are countless. Where you can imagine it, graphics can be placed there. No matter how long and wide the surface and space is.

What do I have to watch out for?

Freshly painted walls need time to cure. If the paint used to paint your wall was “Low VOC” paint, then it will need 30-45 days to cure before installation of a vinyl wall graphic. This is because gases escape the paint as it cures, and these could cause bubbling or poor adhesion, and the installation company wants to make sure this process is complete before putting a new vinyl graphic up. If you have any questions about the paint, you can always send a photograph of the label to Bayou Graphics and we can let you know the proper cure time.

How large are the panels on a vinyl wall wrap?

Typically, panels have an approximate 53” print area, designs wider than 53” will require a seam. These are standard in wall graphics and are not noticeable. Butt seams are normally only used in wallpaper that is applied with a permanent glue, because wall graphics are designed to not damage your wall if they are changed or removed, they typically have an overlap which is not visible to someone viewing the wall graphic from 3-4 feet away. Your designer at Bayou Graphics will take this into account and can lay the panels out to ensure your wall is transformed.

Can I have any print I want?

Yes! The graphic design staff at Bayou Graphics can use any image for your wall if there are no copyright protections. One point to note though, if you are going to provide a file or an image, it needs to be high resolution, so when it is blown up and made larger, there is no pixelation or loss of quality. Your designer can give you the guidance you need to ensure you select the proper file type and size.

Are there multiple textures?

Yes- Bayou Graphics has years of experience with interior graphics- and there are multiple textures to choose from. The most common texture is a canvas, matte texture because the gloss textures used on vehicle graphics reflect too much light for an office environment but ask your sales rep about options available he or she will be happy to review our selection of textured wall coverings.

What if I want a sign or letters instead?

No problem! Bayou Graphics offers a wide variety of solutions for interior and exterior signs, typically interior signs are acrylic or aluminum, with designs featuring letters or shapes flush to the wall OR mounted off the wall- call your sales rep at Bayou Graphics to see examples of our work so you can begin to explore options for your wall or storefront.

Can I wrap the walls outside my building?

Yes! Bayou Graphics has wrapped exterior walls made of brick, block, corrugated metal, and other materials. We have transformed numerous storefronts with perforated vinyl that allows our commercial customers to bring visibility to their business and reduce heating and cooling costs at the same time.

Can I wrap the ceiling or floor?

Yes, floor decals and graphics are common with commercial customers, and are used for wayfinding and traffic control- these are applied with a special durable laminate with anti-slip properties. Ceiling tiles and ceilings can be wrapped as well.

Will removing the wrap damage the drywall or peel my paint?

No- in most cases vinyl can be removed from drywall without damaging the wall. There are a wide variety of adhesives available (fit for different purposes such as temporary graphics for conventions and events to graphics needed for high heat and humidity environments) so it is important to work with your sales rep to determine the correct material for your application. In most applications, however, a material is used with an adhesive that leaves no damage to an unpainted wall. Painted walls can be tested before application to ensure the correct material is used as well.

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